Choices by T. Alisha Rogers

Options are presented everyday

Millions of decisions are made in the course of an hour

Only a small percentage of those decisions are conscious

The conundrum lies in the actions performed on subconscious decisions

The experiential lessons of the life exixtence we created for ourselves

manipulates the path we take, the objectivity of those we encounter and

the subjectivity of the perceptions we believe to be true.

Examine the options presented everyday

Reconsider the choices, modify, rectify, exemplify

Carefully make your choices... wisely

Spotlight Joyce Yuille

Joyce while in her teens entered into one of the most prestigious high schools in New York City, which was introduced to the world in the film "FAME". It was during her attendance at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of The Music and the Performing Arts where she began to focus on studying music.

Extremely influenced by diverse styles of music such as R&B, gospel, blues, classical, jazz and Latin music, not to mention that she was born in the neighborhood where the legendary Tito "Mambo King", Puente grew up. Her admiration for divas such as Billie Holiday, Etta James, Sarah Vaughn, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Denise Williams and all time favorite, unfortunately not well known internationally Phyllis Hyman, whom she's been vocally compared to on numerous occasions, have helped her to create a personal style that is respectfully appreciated and admired by her audience. However, her heart and soul is what is primarily felt during her performances, her ability to touch the public profoundly and always leaving them with a “special feeling” and something warm to take home. 

Dr. Maya Angelou recites "Still I Rise"

Dr Michael Carerra, The Children's Aid Society

Dr. Michael A. Carrera is Thomas Hunter Professor Emeritus of Health Sciences at Hunter College of the City University of New York, and Adjunct Professor of Community Medicine at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. He began his teaching career in l959 at a Junior High School in the Bronx. Since 1970 Dr. Carrera has directed the Adolescent Sexuality and Pregnancy Prevention Programs for The Children's Aid Society in New York.

Dr. Carrera's first book, Sex, The Facts, The Acts and Your Feelings, has been translated into l7 languages. His two books Sexual Health for Men: Your A to Z Guide, and Sexual Health For Women: Your A to Z Guide are widely used by health services and child care agencies. Another book, The Language of Sex, is a hgh school and college resource book. His latest book is Working With Teens When The Topic Is Hope - Lessons For Lifeguards

Dr. Carrera has served as President of the Board of Directors of The Sex Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), and he has served as President of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

Dr. Carrera's Awards and Recognition

In 1984, Dr. Carrera received the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists National Award for Distinguished Service in Sexuality Education. In 1990 Dr. Carrera received an award from The Center For Population Options (CPO) in recognition of his achievements in enhancing the health and well being of adolescents during 1980's. In 1991, the Society For the Scientific Study of Sex awarded Dr. Carrera its Community Service Award for his outstanding contributions in the area of adolescent sexuality to communities throughout the United States.

In 1995, Columbia University, Teachers College named him Distinguished Alumni for his contributions to young people and families in the area of adolescent sexuality and pregnancy prevention and the Planned Parenthood leaders in Education named him recipient of The Mary Lee Tatum Award.

In 1998, The Child Welfare League of America awarded Dr. Carrera their Florence Crittenton Award for his exemplary work in Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. Also in 1998 the New York City Mission Society honored him with their FIRST PERSON AWARD for his work with young people.

In 1998, The Robin Hood Foundation named him their HERO for his untiring efforts to improve the lives of teens and families in New York City.

In 2001, Advocates For Youth chose Dr. Carrera to receive their SUPERNOVA AWARD to honor his long term leadership, dedication and vision. In 2002, Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties awarded Dr. Carrera their MARGARET SANGER AWARD in recognition of his leadership in furthering reproductive health and reproductive rights for all.

In 2005, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, presented the Dr. Richard J. Cross Award for outstanding contributions to the Human Sexuality field to Dr. Carrera.

Through his work at the National Adolescent Sexuality Training Center for The Children's Aid Society, he has designed and helped implement 50 long term, holistic, adolescent pregnancy prevention programs in twenty states throughout the country. His approach, which centers on developing a multi-dimensional, community-based parallel family system program is serving as a model to increasing numbers of family and youth service organizations.

Dr. Henry Sampson

The inventor of the Cellular phone is Henry Sampson, Jr. Sampson is an African-American from Jackson , Mississippi .
He attended Morehouse and transferred to Purdue. He received an MS in Engineering from the University Of California (Go Bears).
He was awarded an MS in Nuclear Engineering from Illinois and his Ph.D from Illinois .
Sampson is the first African-American to receive a Ph.D in Nuclear Engineering.

In 1971 Sampson was awarded a patent for the "gamma-electric cell." This technology was used in the cellular phone. 
Hopefully Dr. Sampson was well rewarded for his efforts.